(B4) Homero Nardi Bandolim, 2012

We are always happy to make available an instrument built by Sao Paulo-based luthier Homero Nardi, and this bandolim one is truly one-of-a-kind. It was built for Agnaldo Luz -- now a very highly regarded luthier in his own right -- when the latter was an apprentice with Nardi. There is a hand-written label on the interior of the bandolim to that effect. But Luz actually had a hand in the instrument himself: he did the beautiful mother-of pearl inlay of the headstock and rosette.

Agnaldo Luz is left-handed, and so the instrument was constructed with a fingerboard extension on what would be the treble side if played with that orientation. The bandolim came to us, however, set up for a right-handed player, and we have left it that way. It could be converted back to lefty should one wish to have that done.

This Brazilian rosewood / spruce bandolim has the great tone and volume you would expect of a Nardi instrument from that era, and plays easily. With very light finish checking and pick-wear -- both visible only at just the right (or, wrong!) angle -- it's in very good condition.

Top: European Spruce

Back & sides: Brazilian Rosewood

Neck: Cedro Rosa (Cedar)

Fingerboard: ebony (?)

Nut: bone

Bridge: bone

Scale length: 350mm

Nut width: 30mm

Body depth: 56mm

Widest body width: 308mm

Finish: shellac

Tuners: Schaller (?)

Pickup: no

Case: AMS hardcase

Strings: Dinâmico São Paulo bandolim (bronze) 010

Recent Work: Repaired center seam separation on the back. Fret level and setup.